Newspaper pilgrims
On July 19, 2024, we left for Finland for our walking holiday. After spending a day and a night in Helsinki, we began our pilgrimage in Turku. The St. Olav Waterway stretches from Turku to Eckerö and passes through the Finnish archipelago and the Åland Islands. The route is approximately 340 km long, of which about 220 km are walked, with the remaining distances covered by boat.
We had never walked for so many consecutive days before, so we started this challenge a bit tense but full of enthusiasm. We truly enjoyed the space and the peace! There were days when we didn’t meet anyone – only ourselves. We walked alternately on asphalt, gravel paths, forest trails, and rocky fields. Occasionally, the walks were tough because of the climbs over boulder-covered hills, but overall, the routes and distances were manageable.
The nature was beautiful. We saw deer almost every day in the forests and along our path. The views from the bridges and country roads were stunning. We stayed overnight in B&Bs, guesthouses, a small hotel, and a campsite. The accommodations were often located in beautiful, natural surroundings.
It was very reassuring that Ruben from Nordic Pilgrim was easily reachable via the app. That gave us a safe feeling in the sometimes remote areas. The luggage transport was perfectly organized — the suitcases were usually taken ahead by taxi. During one of the boat crossings, we even saw a car waiting in the distance, ready to pick up our luggage again. Everything was so well arranged!
The small churches we came across in the villages and countryside were delightful. Of course, we stamped our pilgrim book again. The daily walking created a pleasant rhythm, and we enjoyed it to the fullest. On the pearl of the archipelago, Kökar, we had a rest day and rented bicycles to explore the island.
One of the great things about the Waterway is the combination of walking and sailing. It was wonderful to sail between so many islands! Finally, we traveled from Eckerö to Sweden. On August 4, we enjoyed exploring Stockholm, and on August 5, we returned to the Netherlands. Thanks to Nordic Pilgrim, our holiday went so smoothly. The planning stage was already pleasant, and it turned out there were many possibilities to customize the trip as we wished. The information, the accommodations, and the contact with Ruben all contributed to a wonderful experience!
Janny and Gerrit, The Netherlands
Janny and Gerrit were interviewed by the newspaper of Åland during their trip. Read their interview here (in Swedish, where they spell Janny’s name wrong).
